Bezmialem Sultan

As the silver-lined clouds covering the sky disperse, sunlight flashes
down and then hides again in quick succession. At every variation of
sunlight, the waters of the Bosphorus are bathed in different colours, now an
ominous grey, then a joyful sapphire-blue. Bezmiâlem Valide looks out from
the Pink Ballroom of Ciragan Palace, as the ripeness of the redbuds of
Kandilli paints the hillside crimson. The sun now shines into the palace,
awakening the glitter on the carved gilded frames of the priceless oil
paintings. This compassionate and sensitive first lady of the Palace is
called "Bezmiâlem, which means “the person who brings joy to those in
the entourage”. Beloved wife of Sultan Mahmud II, she devotes her spare time
to the homeless, always extending a helping hand to those in need. In the
year 1845 she founds The Guraba Hospital. As it is about to be opened, she
leans over the mother-of-pearl desk-top and adds a few more items to the
rules. "The ward for infectious diseases will be separated from the
others... service to the poor will be given free of charge... no deductions
will be made from the patients’ allowance... even if they cost a fortune
onions will be provided for the kitchen... 25,241 olive trees will be donated
to the hospital ..." She turns her green eyes further into the distance.
The blue waves splashing the shores of the palace gardens remind her of the
rules of the charitable foundation she has started in Damascus: “ The sweet
water of Damascus will be moved to Haremeyn with camels, to be served to the
Pigrims."